WorkSafe urges farming businesses to assess their cattle handling safety practices during National Farm Safety Week

Victoria's workplace safety regulator wants cattle farming businesses to compare current practices against industry best practice during National Farm Safety Week, with a particular focus on cattle handling equipment and management systems that reduce risk on the job.

According to WorkSafe, cattle management remains a major contributing factor to workplace fatalities on Victorian farms, resulting in six deaths since 2018. Over the same period, more than 240 people sustained serious injuries while handling cattle, making them eligible for workers' compensation.

Why Cattle Handling Safety Matters for Farm Businesses

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said maintaining a safe working environment plays a key role in supporting productivity and sustainability across the agriculture sector.

"We understand safety on farms is an evolving process and we want to support farming businesses to ensure their cattle infrastructure is meeting at least a basic level of safety, while planning for further improvements over time," Mr Jenkin said.

Across Australia and neighbouring regions, agricultural operators face similar cattle-related hazards, from poorly maintained yards to inadequate loading equipment. WorkSafe's message during this year's National Farm Safety Week reinforces a broader industry push toward stronger cattle handling standards.

Assessing Cattle Handling Equipment and Infrastructure

Farm safety experts consistently point to three areas where hazards commonly arise during cattle management:

• Poorly designed or damaged yards and gates that increase risk during mustering
• Loading equipment that fails to account for animal behaviour and flight zones
• Insufficient training on handling equipment among farm workers

WorkSafe Victoria is conducting proactive farm safety visits to help businesses identify these hazards before they contribute to a serious incident. This proactive approach mirrors similar campaigns run by other regulators, including efforts to focus on safety while driving during National Road Safety Week, which also targets high-risk industry sectors reliant on heavy equipment.

Building a Stronger Safety Culture in Agriculture

Improving cattle handling outcomes requires more than compliant equipment — it demands consistent management practices embedded into daily operations. Businesses should regularly review:

• Gate positioning to avoid sharp, blind corners in cattle yards
• Equipment maintenance schedules for loading ramps and handling infrastructure
• Management systems for training new staff on animal behaviour and risk awareness

Related coverage on this topic, including WorkSafe's push to enhance safety measures in cattle yards, offers further detail on practical steps farm businesses can take to strengthen their management approach.

For agriculture businesses seeking to formalise their safety documentation and management systems, SafetyDocs offers a range of resources covering workplace safety rules and electrical safety checklists relevant to farm operations.

Read more here.